Category: Pest Control

I don’t need to explain why having mice in a restaurant or hotel is bad for business. But, this needs to be looked at though is the public’s perception of a pest management plan. What I mean is how, if done incorrectly, the cure can be worse than the problem.

The perfect restaurant, in the public eye, would have no pest control program or company and no pests. IPM practices discrete pest management from our service vehicles to our uniforms to our bait stations, but what about the program itself? One of the more recent additions to our sales process is show and tell. If you want to know what the equipment looks like, where it will be and how discrete we can really be, let us show you.

In our industry, protecting your brand reputation is protecting ours. A restaurant can only be serviced when it is closed, and the majority of the program should be exterior and preventative. The waitstaff, management, and kitchen staff should be aware of the program and involved in keeping the restaurant clean and sealed. The cleaning crew should know how the trap should be positioned after cleaning the floors. Mice enter the trap based on their natural behavior, not bait. So if the trap is positioned incorrectly it is ineffective.

Lastly, if a mouse does get into a place that serves food, it needs to be caught in a food service-approved trap. Baits approved for interior use will lead to a stench that guests find intolerable whereas mice in closed traps are less noticeable and easily removed.

Does it ever seem like pigeon flocks are out of control? Understanding the behavior of these birds and some of the history is helpful in understanding why they are such a nuisance sometimes.

Pigeons came to the United States and therefore Colorado as a domestic animal. All pigeons in Colorado today are descendants of captive birds and therefore feral.

Pigeons have a strong homing instinct and will generally return to their nest to mate. Return flights of over 1000 miles have been documented in Feral Rock Pigeons. In addition, pigeons can average 50 miles per hour in moderate distance flights and have been recorded at 90 miles per hour in short bursts.

Pigeons can reproduce any time of year if their food source is abundant. Pigeons lay one or two eggs at a time, most often two. and have a strong success rate raising their young. In cases where food is present all year long, a pair of pigeons can mate and nest six times in a year. This, combined with their homing instinct is why it is not uncommon to see flocks of hundreds of birds in settings where food is plentiful year-round.

Pigeon control has to take this and other factors in consideration. Pigeon waste is usually as much a problem as the birds themselves. Pigeon droppings are associated with three human diseases, histoplasmosis, cryptococcosis, and psittacosis. The problems don’t end there, pigeon droppings can deface buildings, in some cases causing irreparable damage to historic buildings.

Further reading on this subject can be found at http://www.buildingconservation.com/articles/birddamage/birddamage.htm

IPM provides free estimates and is happy to answer questions about bird exclusion, removal, control and behavior. Remember, these problems get worse, never better, if left untreated for any extensive period of time.

The state of Colorado has no shortage of pigeons, and that problem is only going to worsen in the future. Recently, many national companies have discontinued their monthly pigeon programs in Colorado, sending letters to existing customers advising them of the change. This change comes as the result of the way they treated for pigeons and the material they used. This product recently underwent a change to the product label. Pest control operators are held to the label of the products they use, and the change made the current application method for national companies illegal going forward. Fortunately for IPM and its customers, we have an integrated approach and a common-sense, multi-faceted monthly program for pigeons that allows us to serve our customers without skating close to the limit of the law. We recognize that health care, hospitality, food service, retail and office buildings cannot afford these pests nor the cosmetic degradation they bring. We also realize the responsibility we have to the environment, the surrounding areas and the animals themselves to create solutions that restore balance and minimize the footprint we leave. So, as the mega-companies shed their pigeon business, perhaps you’ll consider calling IPM for a free estimate. If a monthly, proactive service is in everyone’s best interest, we’ll be happy to be your new pest control company.

IPM has expanded into Clear Creek County, just west of Jefferson County. We are proud to be servicing two restaurants monthly in Georgetown and Conifer, CO. We are growing rapidly, but still look for referrals to do so. We meet any Colorado business’s pest control needs with fully customizable, environmentally responsible and economical pest solutions. Call us anytime for a free, confidential pest and sanitation inspection!

There are several different species of cockroaches in Colorado. In all food service establishments, German cockroaches are possible. In Denver and Pueblo we see American Cockroaches from time to time. Brown banded and Oriental cockroaches, although less common, are found in Colorado Springs, Denver and Pueblo. The first step in elimination is identifying the species. Treatment then can be tailored to the specific pest, and to the area infested. Integrated Pest Management specializes in complete elimination; many service providers practice only different levels of control. Some pests cannot be completely eradicated from a structure; we do not believe cockroaches are one. Here is a link that is useful in identifying what type of cockroach you have. Keep in mind that you may have more than one kind, although not likely. Also keep in mind that the different life stages of insects can look very different, as well as differences between males and females. It’s best to compare several insects to several photos and begin the process of elimination, knowing what it’s not. Call IPM any time for a free inspection or insect identification.

There are several different kinds of spider mites in Colorado. They are so prolific that controlling or eliminating these pests is very difficult and requires a plan grounded in integrated pest management theory. Measure to prevent spider mites in Colorado are much more economical and effective. We have had several success stories with prevention of mites; please feel free to ask us for references. Colorado State University has a lot of great information on spider mites: http://www.ext.colostate.edu/pubs/insect/05507.html

So whether you have a 35,000 square foot building that is being inundated with turf mites or a few plants in an urban garden that you want to protect, there is a solution. Call today to discuss an ipm plan for your needs!

Pigeons are a common problem on commercial buildings in Colorado. The birds are sometimes a nuisance themselves, but usually the droppings are the bigger problem; pigeons make a mess. A typical pigeon flock grows from year to year exponentially, and so does the mess. On top of the negative aesthetics of pigeon poop, the waste they create is a vector for disease. IPM has several solutions for problem birds, call anytime for more information. Inspections are free, but also necessary for an accurate assessment of the issue. For more information on pigeons themselves, their behavior and some interesting facts, follow this link to CSU’s page:

Are you interested in ways to prevent spider mites in your home or garden? Integrated Pest Management is on the leading edge of spider mite prevention and eradication in Colorado Springs and Denver. Our unique two-step process effectively prevents infestations and our education driven pest management plans help our clients to never have to deal with these unwanted, destructive and costly creatures again. Call now to schedule a free estimate!

Starting when the nighttime temperatures drop in late August along the Front Range and ending around Thanksgiving, spiders in Colorado are attracted to retained heat in structures. This means more pest sightings inside, as well as more spider webs. We all know in Colorado the pest pressure will decrease when Winter sets in, but what is the best method to prevent spiders instead of waiting for Old Man Winter? Integrated pest management, according to the EPA is “…an effective and environmentally sensitive approach to pest management that relies on a combination of common-sense practices. IPM programs use current, comprehensive information on the life cycles of pests and their interaction with the environment.” We take an outside-in approach, treating for spiders where they originate. rather than only treating on a reactive, after the fact, basis on the interior of the building. And, of course, it all starts with an inspection and pest trends are monitored monthly so that treatment reflects the current need, not the calendar. For more information on how to create a pest management plan for your property, see the sites below or call for more information on your specific needs.

Flies are a problem everywhere in the world where people and animals inhabit. Therefore, it is not surprising that there are so many solutions for mitigating them. House flies and horse flies are seasonal invaders that fly right in and make themselves at home almost anywhere. The good news is with such a wide-spread problem there are dozens of effective controls and new ones come out every year. Unfortunately, there is no 100% solution, however every step taken can reduce the problem to the point of manageability. IPM can provide a free, no-obligation inspection of any commercial property to asses what might help to eliminate flies. IPM offers fly service that includes an array of products and services, to include: fly lights, automatic metered fly spray, fly traps, dumpster treatments and fly baits. Also, IPM can help with quick ideas without a visit- call now if you are having fly problems at your restaurant, hotel or office.